Call Out

Lal Singh, 49, Andaman–Nicobar Islands

“After the tsunami, government people told us to do organic. Training happened. Grant also came. We stopped urea. Now customers pay more when we say organic. I feel good. Is this right or just name?”

Reality Translation Layer.

Lal Singh, your farming was already close to organic. Mixed crops. Low chemicals. Compost from waste. You only removed urea and started making compost properly. So the change was small, not risky. Your soil did not suffer. Yields did not crash. That is why it worked smoothly for you.

Am I alone or someone is holding my hand!

In the beginning, government held your hand. Training, grant, guidance. After that, you are mostly on your own. No inspector now. No buyer contracts. But your local customers trust you. They see how you farm. That trust is your support system, not paperwork.

Is it really worthwhile or just cosmetics?

For you, it is worthwhile. Not because of certificate, but because customers believe you. You earn a little more. You eat clean food. Soil is healthier. This is really organic for local markets. But this model works only where trust exists. Not everywhere.